Geoffrey has no shame about grocery store job

An actor who was a regular on The Cosby Show said he’s thankful for the support he has received since photos of him working at a grocery store showed up on news sites.

Geoffrey Owens said on Tuesday on ABC’s Good Morning America that he did feel some people were trying to job shame him. But he stressed that “every job is worthwhile and valuable,” adding that what’s important is the honour of the working person and the dignity of the work.

“There is no job that’s better than another,” he said. “It may pay better, it may have better benefits, it may look better on paper. But it’s not better. Every job is worthwhile.”

Owens played Elvin Tibideaux, the husband of Sondra, the eldest daughter of Bill Cosby’s character on the TV show. Photos showed him working the register at a New Jersey Trader Joe’s, “Geoffrey” on his name tag. He said he no longer works there due to the unwanted attention he received.

Owens said people had recognised him in the past and that it was never an issue, noting they were “very, very cool about it.”

The 57-year-old actor said he hasn’t had an acting job that lasted more than 10 weeks since leaving The Cosby Show, but has taught acting at Yale and worked other jobs related to entertainment.

Owens was most recently seen in an episode of Elementary and finished a movie called Impossible Monsters. “No one should feel sorry for me,” he said. “I’ve had a great life, a great career.” —